* threatens to veto bill enabling Medicare to negotiate drug prices

[meldroc]

Bush would veto Medicare bill: White House

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House on Friday threatened a veto of a bill that would overhaul the Medicare prescription drug law to require the government to negotiate prices with pharmaceutical companies.

"If this bill is presented to the president, he will veto," White House spokesman Tony Snow told reporters.

The Medicare bill is a key priority of the new Democratic Congress. Snow spoke as the U.S. House of Representatives was expected to vote later in the day on the legislation.

Democrats contend that instructing the government to negotiate prices would save money both for the government and for older Americans covered by the Medicare program.

:mad: :mad: :mad:

Funny, I thought Republicans were all for letting free market forces do their work. I guess pharmco profits are more important than people's health and well being...

Think we can get a veto-proof majority on this bill?